Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research (SJODR)
Volume-6 | Issue-10 | 439-444
Case Report
Prosthetic Management of Maxillary Defect Due to an Osteoradionecrosis: A Case Report
Karim Chebbi, Khaoula Bouaziz, Rabeb Bendhief, Jamila Jaouadi
Published : Oct. 5, 2021
Abstract
Osteoradionecrosis is one of the most serious complications of head and neck radiotherapy and is considered as a public health problem worldwide. It is most commonly characterized by the exposure of the affected bone, in addition to oral ulcers, drainage of purulent secretion and oral fistulas. Treatment of osteoradionecrosis is a challenging problem. The conservative approach to management consists of antibiotics, transoral debridement or sequestrectomy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For advanced stages, patients are treated aggressively by surgical resection of all diseased hard and soft tissue with or without immediate reconstruction. The surgical removal of all or part of the maxilla, leaving the patient with a defect that compromises the integrity and function of the oral cavity. The postoperative restoration of esthetics, deglutition, and speech shortens recovery time in the hospital and expedites the patient's return to the community as a functioning member. The surgical obturator is the proven treatment option in such situations. This article describes a simple technique to fabricate an immediate obturator after sequestrectomy. The obturator fabricated restores patient's manducatory functions and thus may have a positive effect on the patients' psychology.